NCQA Level III, the nation's highest level of recognition for patient-centric care, was awarded to all primary care clinics (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) at the hospital and all five of its branch health clinics.

The Navy's approach to the Patient-Centered Medical Home is Medical Home Port, which places patients in the center of a collaborative team of caregivers - from doctors to nurses and case managers-led by the primary care manager.

Founded in 1990, NCQA is a private not-for-profit organization that works to improve health care quality.

Earning The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval during its re-accreditation process in January, NH Jacksonville was recognized for its continuing compliance with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art, national standards of care.

The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Founded in 1951, it accredits more than 20,000 health systems in the U.S.

"Through sequestration, reduced budgets and civilian furloughs this past year, Naval Hospital Jacksonville continued to provide our nation's heroes and their families with world-class health care," said Capt. Gayle Shaffer, NH Jacksonville commanding officer. "This recognition and accreditation demonstrates that our Medical Home Port teams are making a positive difference in the lives of our patients."

The MEDIG team, after reviewing 60 programs (from research ethics to patient access) in January, offered a resounding endorsement of the command's safe, high-quality medical treatment.

NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. Of its patient population - about 163,000 active and retired sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, guardsmen and their families - more than 61,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager at one of its facilities.

To find out more, visit the command website at www.med.navy.mil/sites/NavalHospitalJax.

For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhjax/.